The Wire Thin Bride

11. It’s hard not to blame; but how promising it looked on posters. Miles of gold growing in fields grew in us- And the stories gossiped at the markt under shade of elms and steeple- Follow my heart’s desire, you said, but my heart stopped for the numb eternity between “Emigrate?” and “Yes”. Now that I’m here, it’s catching up. 12. Moeder, your supplications against cold arrived! Knitted mitts, sweater (its shoulder-wreath of snowflakes) and the rooster tea-cosy. Through your fingers, wool gestures like a rosary. I feel blessed.

13. The window panes gave in to last night’s storm. By morning our bed’s snowcovered.

14. I should have drawn this: a white face behind curtains that can’t close. I couldn’t have supposed such black on white. such a self.